Surprising change made for Donald Trump’s visit to UK following invitation from King Charles

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Donald Trump will be returning to the UK for another state visit later this year, with the exact date yet to be determined.

It comes after an invite, known as a ‘manu regia,’ was sent to the White House from King Charles III and delivered by representatives from the British Embassy in Washington last week.

A Buckingham Palace aide told the BBC: "His Majesty has known President Trump for many years and looks forward to hosting him and the First Lady later this year."

The initial plans for the pair included a private, more informal meeting in one of the King’s Scottish homes this summer, before the big state visit. However, according to the public service broadcaster, it’s understood that this will no longer be going ahead due to scheduling issues.

Instead, the pair will be skipping the step and going straight to the state visit, which is reportedly most likely to occur in September.

A surprising change has been made to Trump's upcoming state visit to the UK (WPA Pool / Getty Images)

In his initial letter sent in February, and delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the monarch said an informal visit would be a ‘valuable chance to plan a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom’.

At the time, Starmer presented the hand-signed document to Trump just minutes after sitting down in the Oval Office.

He told him: "This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented.This is truly historic."

The letter in question, which was partly obscured by Trump’s hands, read: "I can only say that it would be … pleasure to extend that invitation once again, in the hope that you … some stage be visiting Turnberry and a detour to a relatively near neighbour might not cause you too much inconvenience.

“An alternative might perhaps be for you to visit Balmoral. There is much on both estates which I think you might find interesting, and enjoy – particularly as my foundation at Dumfries House provides hospitality skills-training for young people who often end up as staff on your own establishments!"

The letter continued: "Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom.

The President's visit to the UK is thought to be penciled in for September, according to reports (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

"As you will know this is unprecedented by a US President. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content.

"In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries of which we are both so proud."

The letter was hand-signed by the king: "Yours Most Sincerely, Charles."

The President responded: "That's a great, great honour. And that says at Windsor - that's really something.”

He added: “He's a beautiful man, a wonderful man - I've gotten to know him very well, actually, first term and now second term.

"We've known each other now for a little while. This is not our first meeting. He loves his country. And so, that's our common theme. He loves his country. And I love our country."

Trump’s last state visit to the UK was back in 2019 when the late Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne.